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Today, the trading day began in a particularly loud manner: nearly 100 enthusiastic children drummed up the trading day in festive spirit.

Every year, schoolchildren are invited to come for “Exchange Drumming” in Amsterdam. This tradition dates back to the 17th century, when an orphan boy from Amsterdam saved the stock exchange from an attack by the Spanish occupiers. As a thank you, he and his friends were allowed to drum in the stock exchange building – to enjoy the special acoustics.

More than four centuries later, this tradition is still honoured, and drumming at the stock exchange remains a cheerful and symbolic start to the trading day.

Download gong ceremony photo